Royal palaces, all-night food markets, and hillside villages in a hyper-modern megacity.
Best months to visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seoul moves at full speed. Joseon-era palaces sit beneath glass towers, street-food stalls run until the small hours, and one of the world's best metro systems makes it easy to cover a lot of ground.
Spring brings cherry blossom and mild days; autumn brings clear skies and blazing foliage on the mountains that ring the city. Summer is hot, humid, and rainy, and winters are genuinely cold.
Ideal stay
4–5 days
Budget
$$ · Mid-range
Currency
South Korean won (KRW)
Language
Korean
Main airport
Incheon (ICN), ~45–60 min by AREX train
Good for
Food, palaces, shopping, nightlife
The full guide
Season by season, a day-by-day plan, where to stay, getting around, costs, and local tips — unlocks with a
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When to go
Spring (Apr–May)
Cherry blossom in early April and comfortable temperatures. Occasional yellow dust days.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and humid, with the monsoon (jangma) bringing heavy rain in July.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
The best season: dry, clear, and colourful from mid-October.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and dry, often below freezing. Fewer crowds and cosy food culture.
Suggested itinerary
Day 1
Gyeongbokgung Palace (watch the guard ceremony), Bukchon Hanok Village, and tea in Insadong. Evening at Gwangjang Market for bindaetteok and mayak gimbap.
Day 2
Changdeokgung and its Secret Garden tour, then Ikseon-dong's lanes. Sunset from N Seoul Tower on Namsan.
Day 3
Hike Bukhansan or walk the Seoul City Wall trail in the morning. Afternoon in Seongsu-dong's cafés and design shops.
Day 4
A DMZ tour with an official operator, or the War Memorial of Korea and Itaewon.
Day 5
Hongdae for street performers and nightlife, and a Han River park picnic with fried chicken.
Where to stay
Jongno / Insadong
Near the palaces with traditional atmosphere.
Myeongdong
Central, busy, great for first-timers and shopping.
Hongdae
Young, lively, and good value, with an airport rail link.
Getting around
The metro is cheap, clean, and signposted in English. Buy a T-money card at any convenience store and use it on the metro, buses, and even taxis. Naver Map and KakaoMap work far better than international map apps here.
What it costs
Mid-range. Street food and casual restaurants are excellent value; palaces are inexpensive and free if you wear hanbok. Accommodation is the biggest cost.
Good to know
Download Naver Map or KakaoMap before you arrive.
Palaces close one day a week, and not all on the same day — check before you go.
Tipping is not expected.
Travel information changes often. Prices here are rough guides, and transport, opening hours, and
entry requirements can change without notice. Confirm details with official tourism sites,
operators, and your government's travel advice before you book, and travel with suitable
insurance.
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